In a Chester County courtroom packed with supporters at the Justice Center, a veteran member of local law-enforcement was sworn in Monday morning as chief deputy in the Sheriff’s Office, and on Monday afternoon, four new sheriff’s deputies took their oaths of office.

For Chief Deputy Sheriff George P. March, a Caln Township resident, the ceremony brought his career full circle, returning him to Chester County, where his jobs have included a criminal investigator for the state police at the Embreeville barracks and chief county detective. Although March had numerous jobs outside the county, he never relocated, sometimes commuting as far away as Harrisburg.

March said he had been prepared to retire after spending the past 14 years as the chief information officer for RISS, a law-enforcement intelligence network serving local, state, and federal agencies within as well as outside the U.S. Then he ran into Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh, who was looking to fill the vacancy left by Chief Deputy James O. Moyer, who passed away in January.

Addressing the standing-room-only crowd Monday morning, Welsh said she was thrilled that March agreed to take the position. She explained that the chief deputy or “under sheriff,” as it is called in many jurisdictions, is vital to the command structure and the organization of the Sheriff’s Office. “It is a position that requires leadership, commitment, dedication and integrity,” she said. “George March exemplifies those qualities and more.”

Welsh pointed out that March enjoys outstanding relationships with law enforcement agencies throughout Pennsylvania and beyond, an assessment exemplified by the many troopers and detectives in attendance. “He is highly-regarded and well-respected at every level of law enforcement,” she said. “He brings those relationships and that respect to the position of Chief Deputy Sheriff.”

March was sworn in by Chester County Court Judge Anthony A. Sarcione, who, when he formerly served as District Attorney, hired March as Chester County’s chief detective in 1998. Welsh said she administered the oath to the four new deputy sheriffs Monday afternoon, a ceremony in which March participated. She said the four deputies – Kevin Leary, Michael Clark, Benjamin Tobin, and Andrew Kline – replaced others who had left the office. “It was a great day,” Welsh said.